Until 1978, there was only one water management organization operating in this region — the Water Management Organization "Gornji Banat," headquartered in Kikinda. After 1978, a new organization was established: the Water Management Organization "Basic Canal Network" (OKM), based in Novi Sad.
In 1995, Novi Bečej thrived despite economic challenges. The town, closely tied to the Tisa River, saw growth in education, culture, tourism, and community initiatives.
The Party-Syndical Congress for Vojvodina, held in Novi Sad on January 7 and 8, 1920, was attended by Ljubomir Čolić, a delegate from Kumane, who was elected as a member of the Control Board of the Executive Board of the Provincial Assembly for Vojvodina.
Vranjevo emerged as a settlement following the disbandment of the Potisje-Pomorišje Military Frontier in 1751. The Serbs who had defended the Austrian Monarchy from the Turks and settled in these areas after the Great Migration of 1690, but chose not to emigrate to Russia, established the so-called Velikokikinda District under the Austrian Crown, with its seat in Kikinda.
The Ustava Novi Bečej was built as a structure for releasing water into the primary canal network to supply Banat with water, as well as for discharging excess water from the Banat section of the canal system into the Tisa River.
At the same time, from the synagogue in Novi Bečej, young Jewish anti-fascists were deported to a special prison near the District Court in Veliki Bečkerek. Among them were Đerđ “Đurika” Šlezinger, Herman Bergl, Ištvan “Pišta” Šlezinger, and Margita “Dunda” Huven. They never returned—on July 31, 1941, they were executed as part of the first large group of 90 hostages from across Banat.
The memories of the people who surrounded me in my hometown are especially dear. Many of them have long passed away, but the beautiful memories remain, and I fondly and respectfully remember them.
In early 1992, following the adoption of the Serbian Water Law, three public water management companies were established across the territory of Republic of Serbia, covering the entire country. These companies are:
Sara, not only as a teacher but also as a homemaker, was an exceptionally hardworking woman. I had the privilege of hearing this from my sister, who was one of her students in elementary school. Their home was always tidy, and the preserves Sara made were always top-quality. In this regard, she was a role model to many.
It is difficult to say how long the rivalry between Zvezda and Banat might have lasted had Banat not been reinforced as early as mid-1936 by former players of Jedinstvo, who were significantly older and physically stronger. Under such circumstances, Zvezda, with its predominantly youthful team, was no longer able to compete on equal terms. The first match played between the two clubs after these changes took place on April 9, 1936, and ended with a 4–2 victory for Banat.
Drainage enables the reception of all excess water from the catchment area—either by gravity (free fall) or artificially using pumps—and evacuates it further into the main receivers: the Tisa and the Danube rivers.
As part of presenting the role of farmsteads in the lives of our fellow citizens from the not-so-distant past, it is useful to describe the general appearance of a farmstead yard, along with the arrangement of buildings and rooms within them. This is even more relevant because village house yards were similar in layout, making this account valuable for documentation purposes as well.
In addition to the construction of the first embankments in the 18th century, the issue of navigation on the Tisza River, specifically its regulation, also arises.
In the first half of the 19th century, the regulation of the Tisza River becomes increasingly relevant for economic reasons, leading to the commencement of the first regular hydrological observations and surveys of its riverbed.
In the photographs that tell a story of the past, we see Boško Maksić, known as "Šeboj," once a symbol of hard work and prosperity. Born in Kuman, he was a wealthy farmer and a respected member of his community. However, after World War II, his life took a tragic turn. The forced expropriation of his property by the regime completely shattered his life and stability.
The development of fisheries along the Main Canal Network (OKM) is observed through:
To successfully achieve the goals and objectives of preschool education, a qualified teaching staff was essential. Former educators with five years of secondary education graduated from the Pedagogical Academy for Educators while working between 1975 and 1979. They took pride in the fact that out of 21 educators, 19 graduated from the Academy.
On August 2, 1921, the Assembly adopted the Law on the Protection of Public Security and Order in the State, tightening measures against communists. This law prescribed harsh punishments for any communist activity, including the death penalty.
I begin to feel my homeland even on the road to Novi Bečej, right after leaving Kumane. On that road from Kumane to Novi Bečej—whether by train or bus—I start recalling everything that once existed there or what ties me to that path, from the time when my love for my homeland was most deeply growing.
One account states that, during a brief period of partial freedom, some wealthier Jews from Novi Bečej managed to escape by bribing German soldiers—often drivers—and fleeing beyond the borders of Serbia. There is also a theory, based on unconfirmed information, that Verona, the daughter of Danijel Cigler, a timber merchant from Novi Bečej, managed to reach Romania thanks to her relationship with a German officer, and later emigrated to Israel after the war. However, this information was never officially confirmed.
Telečki was an unusual, curious, lively, inquisitive, multifaceted, and, above all, restless personality. At the dawn of our first professional theaters, he quickly emerged in the spotlight and became our first acting star.
May 25–27, 1995
Open Competition for Solo Singers
After the first two “Horizons on the Tisa,” the organizers began preparations for the third festival with even greater enthusiasm and foresight.
In those frequent walks, I would go, in my thoughts, to the Great Warehouse, pondering its antiquity (built in 1780) and all it had endured over time.
Fifty years have passed since the day when seven hundred Jews from northern Banat, including one hundred and sixty of our fellow citizens, vanished forever from the banks of the Tisa River near Novi Bečej. They were carried away by the black ships of death into the abyss of annihilation.
I will not delve into a historical account of the development of education in Novi Bečej and Vranjevo, as I have already provided such a description in my book “Novi Bečej and Vranjevo Through History”. Instead, I would like to highlight a turbulent and almost revolutionary period in the school history of Novi Bečej between the 1920s and 1930s.
In the former Novi Bečej maternity hospital, located near the Andre family home, Karolj Andre was born on July 21, 1951 — a future collector and philatelist. He was educated in Novi Bečej, Subotica, and Novi Sad, where he later worked as a laboratory technician.
The social life in Novi Bečej and Vranjevo, fifty or more years ago, mainly took place in the Sokolana and taverns. Conferences, meetings, and gatherings of political or scientific nature were held there. In short, all entertainment and social activities happened indoors—either in the Sokolana or in taverns. The only exceptions were summer swimming in the Tisa River, football training, and matches in the Gradište grove.
In the final years before the outbreak of the Second World War, a need emerged in Novi Bečej for the establishment of a new football club that would bring together working-class and artisan youth. At that time, Football Club Zvezda already had a stable squad and was, to some extent, closed to the admission of new players from these social groups. As a result, in 1940, a group of young men—mostly of Hungarian origin—founded Sports Club Napredak.
The way of life in Banat and Bačka differed under Ottoman rule and after their expulsion, up until the late 18th century. People initially lived in small settlements, but with colonization and land distribution, successful farming created the necessity for farmsteads (salaši).
In the area of today's municipality of Novi Bečej, several water cooperatives existed, starting from 1845, which were either dissolved or reorganized into different forms by 1945:
Reflecting on my journey aboard the "Miroslav" ship, I recalled two uncomfortable moments I experienced on the Tisza. They weren’t tragic, but they were thrilling enough to remain unforgettable to this day.
